Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University’s men’s basketball team is set to begin a challenging five-game road stretch starting Wednesday night against the University of Nevada at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno. The Salukis have built early momentum this season with convincing home victories and now face a series of away games that will test their depth and endurance.

Nevada, under coach Steve Alford, holds a 2-0 record so far this season. Alford, who is in his seventh year leading the Wolf Pack, has achieved a 115-75 overall record and two NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure. His coaching background includes time in the Missouri Valley Conference with Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State), where he compiled a 78-48 record from 1995 to 1999 and went 5–2 against SIU. Barry Hinson, who succeeded Alford at SWMS, later coached Southern Illinois from 2012 to 2019, adding historical context to Wednesday’s matchup.

The game tips off at 9 p.m. CST (7 p.m. PST) and will be available for viewing on Mountain West Network. Fans can also follow live statistics online or listen locally on 101.5 CIL-FM via The Varsity Network.

Southern Illinois started its season with an 83–42 win over McKendree, highlighted by guard Quel'Ron House’s 18 points, four rebounds, and three steals. Forward Rolyns Aligbe contributed with an efficient shooting performance and three steals as well. All twelve players saw action and contributed points, including freshman Jaheem Webber who scored his first collegiate basket with a dunk.

In their second game, SIU defeated UMKC 101–78 while shooting nearly 66% from the field and winning the rebounding battle. House again led scoring efforts with support from Davion Sykes, Rolyns Aligbe, Damien Mayo Jr., Jalen Haynes, Caden Hawkins, and Webber—all contributing to what has been described as balanced offensive production across the roster.

Nevada also comes into the contest undefeated after narrow wins over Louisiana Tech and Pacific. In their most recent outing against Pacific, Tayshawn Comer led all scorers with 19 points; Tyler Rolison added another 14 points; junior forward Elijah Price recorded a double-double with ten points and ten rebounds; center Joel Armotrading added eleven points and fifteen boards along with two blocks.

Historically, Nevada leads SIU in head-to-head matchups by two games to one—both wins coming in Nevada while Southern Illinois’ sole victory was in Carbondale in February of 2008.

After this trip out west, Southern Illinois continues its road schedule against North Dakota State on November 17 before traveling to Jacksonville for neutral-site games against Delaware or UAB as part of the Jacksonville Classic on November 23-24. They then play Memphis on November 26 before returning home November 29 to host Arkansas Little Rock at Banterra Center. Tickets are available at saluk.is/43XgPSU.